Before touring Worcester Polytechnic Institute's facility in Gateway Park Friday afternoon, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren stopped at City Hall to greet local elected officials.

She then hopped in Mayor Joseph Petty's car and went for a ride.

“I did take a wrong turn,” Mr. Petty said jokingly.

But he added that he also showed her all the activity going on downtown — the construction at CitySquare, the renovations just under way at the DCU Center, and the old Boys & Girls Club at Lincoln Square, which was recently purchased by WPI.

Gateway Park was constructed on an old brownfield site with the help of federal money secured by the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy. Mr. Petty said he chose Gateway Park for the tour to show Ms. Warren what that kind of investment can do for a city.

Ms. Warren, a Democrat, said she has a nephew who attends WPI, so she considered her stopping by a personal visit, too. Dennis Berkey, president of WPI, said her nephew is “doing fine.”

Ms. Warren said projects such as Gateway Park are examples of building the future by investing in education, infrastructure and innovation.

“WPI has taken an old brownfield site and built something really wonderful,” Ms. Warren said.

With the appointment of Sen. John Kerry as secretary of state, Ms. Warren has quickly ascended to become the state's senior senator, just months after defeating incumbent Scott Brown, a Republican. Ms. Warren shrugged off her rise; she said it may give her more opportunities, but she's still going to approach her job the same way.

“It would be hard to say there will be a big difference,” Ms. Warren said.

Ms. Warren was noncommittal when asked her pick in the developing race to fill Mr. Kerry's seat. Stephen Lynch and Edward Markey, both Democratic U.S. representatives, have said they will run; Ms. Warren had kind words for both yesterday. She did not endorse either.

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